Two Sinclair Theatre students won the Regional Design Projects competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region III, held in Saginaw, MI on January 8–12. Olivia Ciupak won for her costume design of Frog and Toad, and Joe Kelzer won for his lighting design of The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite.
Nearly 1200 students from 4-year undergraduate and graduate theatre programs and only two 2-year colleges from 6 states participate in this annual competition. Sinclair Theatre students have participated for more than 25 years.
Through state, regional and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another's work and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists. The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing and design.
In January and February of each year, regional festivals showcase the finest of each region's entered productions and offer a variety of activities, including workshops, symposia and regional-level award programs.
2013 Festival special guests included playwright Rebecca Gilman, artist Michael Arthur, Hall Associates Flying Effects, Barney Baggett and Richard Newman of Hinterland Ensemble and many more working professionals.
Ten Sinclair actors competed in the Irene Ryan acting scholarship auditions. One actor from each of Sinclair's productions is nominated by KCACTF respondents to compete. The actor chooses a partner and prepares two scenes and a monologue for the competition. More than 300 pairs competed this year. Sinclair's pairs included:
- Josh Smith and Samantha Creech
- Cydnie Hampton and Patrick Hayes
- Kevin Erman and Sydney Back
- Becca Sebree and Katie Beyoglides
- John Dunn and Katie Paeg
Other Sinclair students attending the festival's workshops, productions and displays include: Malisa Adams, April Collins, Jordan Huber, Ryan McCoy, Brian Morgan and Hayley Penchoff.
